Pakistan, Iran agree to boost security, trade

Shehbaz Sharif warmly receives Iranian President at PM House    Dr Masoud Pezeshkian given a guard of honour  PM, Iran President exchange views on regional, global developments  Islamabad, Tehran exchange 12 agreements, MoUs.

ISLAMABAD  –  Pakistan and Iran on Sunday set a target of boosting their bilateral trade to ten billion dollars at the earliest.

Addressing a joint press stakeout in Islamabad, along with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said both countries signed a number of MoUs to transform them into agreements as well as to realize the trade target. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said recent unprovoked Israeli aggression against Iran was totally uncalled for, and it was condemned in the strongest terms not only by the government but also by the people of Pakistan.

Reiterating Pakistan’s principled stance, he said Iran has the right as per the UN Charter to pursue nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

The prime minister said both Islamabad and Tehran have convergence of views on terrorism that no form of this menace will be tolerated, whether on Pakistani soil or in Iran

On the situation in Gaza, he urged the international community to unite in calling for an immediate ceasefire. He paid tribute to the Iranian government for its unwavering support for the innocent Palestinian people, who continue to suffer under Israeli brutality. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine.

Shehbaz Sharif further said the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir is not much different to that of in Gaza as the Kashmiris continue to suffer Indian brutalities. He emphasized that the people of IIOJK must be granted their inalienable right to self-determination. He said Pakistan always has and will continue to raise voice for Kashmiri people. He thanked Iran for supporting the Kashmiri people’s right to freedom.

On the occasion, the Iranian President thanked the people and government of Pakistan for standing with Iran during recent Israeli aggression. He extended the message of unity and brotherhood to Pakistan by reciting Allama Iqbal’s poetry.

The Iranian President said his country views Pakistan not only as a neighbor but as a brother. He said there are serious and joint efforts to deepen bilateral relations in all dimensions and the agreements and MoUs exchanged today are a manifestation of this.

Besides, the two sides also reaffirmed their joint commitment to combat terrorism and ensure peace along their shared border, paving the way for opening up new avenues of regional development.

They strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli aggression and genocide in Gaza, calling for its immediate cessation. Both sides also emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation among all Muslim nations.

Dr Masoud Pezeshkian extended invitation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to visit Iran for renewing talks and following up on the progress made in bilateral relations so far. He also thanked the Prime Minister for according warm hospitality to him and his delegation.

President of Iran Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, who is currently on an official visit to Pakistan, Sunday met Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House and discussed matters of bilateral, regional and global interest.

Upon arrival at the Prime Minister House, President Pezeshkian was received by the Prime Minister and presented a guard of honour followed by the official welcome ceremony.

The two leaders then held talks in a narrow format, followed by delegation level talks between the two sides. During the talks, the Prime Minister was assisted by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, as well as other important Federal Ministers, Ministers of State and senior government officials.

While underscoring the long standing brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity and support for the Iranian leadership, Iranian armed forces and the people of Iran, who bravely fought against Israel’s aggression in the 12-days war. He offered condolences on the martyrdom of Iranian military officials, scientists and innocent citizens during the war and prayed for early recovery of the injured.

He also thanked Iran for its strong support to Pakistan during the recent Pakistan-India standoff. President Pezeshkian thanked the Government and people of Pakistan for their unwavering support to Iran during the war and said that the Iranian nation would always remember this gesture.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need to further expand the existing wide-ranging bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Iran, particularly in the areas of trade, connectivity, culture and people-to-people contacts. In this regard, the Prime Minister called for early convening of the 22nd Joint Economic Commission between Pakistan and Iran, which is expected to be held soon. The two leaders witnessed the exchange of a number of MoUs and agreements in various sectors of mutual interest that will go a long way in enhancing bilateral ties.

A number of initiatives for enhancing trade were discussed, including facilitating barter trade, enhancing quota for export of rice, fruits and meat, border markets operationalization, and addressing issues related to enhancing trade. The two leaders also expressed satisfaction at the progress of recently held trade talks between Pakistan and Iran. The two leaders reaffirmed their shared vision to enhance the existing volume of trade of USD 3 billion to the mutually agreed target of USD 10 billion soon.

During the talks, both sides also exchanged views on important regional and global developments. The Prime Minister thanked the Iranian leadership for Iran’s vocal and active support for the innocent Palestinian people, who have been suffering brutal aggression at the hands of Israeli security forces.

While reaffirming Pakistan’s strong support to the creation of an independent state of Palestine in accordance with the U.N. resolutions, the Prime Minister called for an immediate end to Israeli barbarity against innocent people of Gaza who were being denied humanitarian assistance and being forced to starve. Both leaders urged the international community to act swiftly to resolve this crisis. The Prime Minister also thanked Iran for its support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. The Prime Minister also hosted a luncheon banquet for the visiting Iranian President and members of his delegation. Both leaders also held a joint press conference where they spoke on the issues they had discussed earlier in the day.

Meanwhile, Pakistan and Iran have exchanged 12 agreements and MoUs for promotion of bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.

The exchange ceremony was held in Islamabad on Sunday, in the presence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian.

The agreements and MoUs included cooperation for plant protection and plant quarantine, joint use of Mirjaveh-Taftan border gate, collaboration in science, technology and innovation, cooperation in information and communications technology, exchange programs for culture, art, tourism, youth, mass media and exports, cooperation in meteorology, climatology and related hazards, MoUs on maritime safety and firefighting, judicial assistance in criminal matters, supplemental MoU to an MoU in 2013 related to air services agreement, MoU on recognition of products certification, inspection and testing, tourism cooperation for 2025-27 and joint ministerial statement on the intent to finalize Free Trade Agreement.